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Monday, 22 February 2016

I had to blink twice to make sure I was reading the correct message on Cheryl’s phone. I stared at her in disbelief as she tried to apologise, holding onto my arm at the same time.

Cheryl : Sorry James… I’m sorry. …. Sobs.. sobzzz…

Her entire body was still shaking and I looked on as her legs sort of just gave way and Cheryl started slowly sliding onto the floor as she clung onto me.

I could not believe what was happening.

I wanted to push her away, maybe to even swing her body against the corridor walls and dash off to the hospital but she was just a sobbing mess at my feet.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down, i could not bring myself to trust her no matter how pitiful she looked. Afterall, she works for Ruhui. Maybe this was all an act.

Perhaps she was just a professional social escort with really good acting skills.

Her makeup had smudged pretty bad on her face but I have to admit, she still looks pretty.

Her phone buzzed and I could see another message had come in.

She unlocked her phone and I memorised the sequence, you never know when it would come in handy.

It was a reply from Ruhui.

“ So is it Gleneagles or Mount E ? Are you sure ?? “

Kneeling down, I grabbed onto her shoulder and shook Cheryl a little so she would look at me.

James : Cheryl …. Look…..

She stopped looking at her phone and stared at me instead, breathing unsteadily through her mouth.

James : Why are you working for someone like her…… look at what she made you do earlier….

I could not help but get an erection thinking of what happened a few minutes ago. What made it hard for me to believe was that I could have such a reaction when I brought up the incident.

Yes, I only went in 1 time, feeling the comfort and pleasure of Cheryl’s tight vagina for mere seconds. Perhaps it was the pressure I felt during that period. The pleasure was enhanced greatly by the pressure.

She glared at Cheryl and when she was within striking distance, Ruhui reached out and struck her, slapping her hard on her cheek.

Smack !!!

Cheryl’s head turned like a marionette doll as she fell onto floor. The slap silenced the room immediately before Cheryl’s sobbing started to bite into my ears.

Ruhui ; That’s for wasting my time at Gleneagles….

Ruhui : I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS FUCKING GAME…. OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT NOW….!!!

No one spoke after that and the room was quiet once more. Dr Koh shook his head and went to help Cheryl back up on her feet and to examine her face.

4.45pm

Jacklyn was almost right in Stephanie’s face while I was positioned right in front of the other guy.

TJ was so close behind me I could feel his breath on my neck.

There was an immeasurable amount of tension in the air as our bodies were backed so close to each other.

Cheryl’s phone rang first , indicating a incoming message but she continued sobbing away.

Next, all our phones buzzed at the same time.

The notification from our wasapp chat group. I could even hear the whistling from Sarah’s notification from inside the room.

Then the main entrance glass door opened again.

It opened in a magnificent manner, Victor, dressed in berms and t-shirt, pushed open the door as if he was Aragon opening the door at Helms deep, only instead of holding a sword, he held onto a plastic bag with some bottle drinks.

All eyes turned and fell on Victor as he locked eyes with Ruhui.

Stephanie looked at her phone and I could immediately see the tension gone. Her shoulders slouched and relaxed significantly as she smiled and kept her phone.

TJ did the same and in a rare moment, he laughed and stepped away from the door.

I fumbled for my phone but before I could check it, I watched in sheer disbelief as Cheryl massaged her cheek and walked right over to Victor’s side before turning to face Ruhui.

Victor : Game over….........................Victor turned to Cheryl and asked if she was ok and she nodded slightly, keeping her eyes down as she sobbed quietly.

He turned back to face Ruhui, shaking his head at her.

Victor : The manner in which you treat your people…. I’m surprise you have anyone left who wants to work for you….

I could see the sudden tightening of muscles around Ruhui’s face as she held herself back. You would need to really see the expression on her face to feel how hard it had to be for her to not curse and swear.

I could almost make out a slight shiver as she bit down really hard on her teeth as her eyes burnt a hole into Cheryl.

Ruhui : You will regret this…

Victor : Her name is Cheryl, and she works for me now…. .

Ruhui : I will make sure your family….

Victor did a dramatic yawn and orientated the chair Stephanie had turned towards the main entrance and sat down, opening a bottle of drink.

Victor : yawnzzz……. You and your threats…. .. they don’t mean shit to me… and to Cheryl for that matters…..They will be tendering their resignation soon…. Good luck finding people to take over them…. Given today’s labour market…

Ruhui : Fuck you Victor….I…

Victor : Employees should not be afraid of their employers…..it’s people like you….who should be afraid of your employees…. No one likes you….i doubt many trusts you..

He gestured confidently to the 2 person behind Ruhui.

Victor : Jacklyn…. And .. Rex…. ….

Victor smiled and looked back at Ruhui.

Victor : Which one do you think works for me too ?

I could see the butch taking a step forward but was held back by Rex. Barely a second later, they both just glared steadily at Victor.

Victor : There was never a need for Mount E…. nor the apartment…

He stood up and continued the moment the treatment door opened and Sarah walked out with her mother following behind.

Victor : Go ahead… check the room…

I was struggling to breathe as I digested all the new information and the different pieces of the puzzles falling together.

No one moved and Victor continued.

Victor : Thanks to Cheryl, she kept me updated on your every move. Right from the moment you decided to book a ticket back after learning about what we did.

He went on to say that he knew Ruhui too well, that she would never stop unless she had something to bite onto, he had to give a bone to the rabid dog.

That had to be the part where I came in.

I was to feed Ruhui the information about Mount E.

Victor : And of course… someone to lead you to James…

He smiled at Cheryl and it dawned on me that Cheryl must have been one of her pawns she sent out to look for clues or any signs that could give Victor’s game up.

With her discovering Stephanie’s only employee in the office, it would make a juicy target. Even if I did not know anything, she would have made it impossible for me to continue working for Stephanie. Causing a bit of damage along the way was better than doing nothing.

Victor : My mother is in Malaysia right now….i sent her off after lunch… while Sarah and Annie played along….carrying out what was required of them.

Ruhui : I don’t believe you…. You would not let her go off alone…

Victor : She’s not alone… she’s with Dr Neo…. The one you errrr…. Forced to retire… Sarah’s dad….. and hired your new….Dr Koh…

He turned to Dr Koh with a smiled as he said that. Enough was said as Dr Koh gave a slight smile and excused himself from the room. There was no longer a need for him to be there, besides, it was beneath him to be subjected to these family feuds. Victor’s father Tim finally decided to step in but he barely spoke and he was interrupted by Victor

Tim : This is going overboard Victor…. You should know better than to joke around like…..

Victor : I don’t joke around with my family…. Not my family…

He said it in such a stern manner that it riled up his father. I could see the anger rise up in front of my eyes as Tim took a deep breath and raised his voice for the first time that afternoon.

Tim : How dare you talk to your father in that manner !!!!!!!!!

Victor : My father…… died the day he witness my wedding to a woman I did not love…

Tim reached out in an attempt to slap Victor but Victor just stepped back nimbly before TJ appeared out of nowhere to hold onto his father.

I finally knew what Stephanie means when she said Victor needed TJ.

Tim kicked and shouted, raining a few blows but TJ took them all, blocking most of them with his forearms as he tried to calm him down.

Victor took a deep breath and hung back.

If it was Victor, I had no doubts that father and son would trade blows. It should not come to that.

Ruhui had more than enough time to compose herself and she was back to the smug haughty behaviour once again.

Ruhui : Fine…. Whatever…. Go fuck yourselves if it makes you happy…

She made her way towards the exit but stopped a few feet away from Cheryl.

Ruhui : This bitch…… what makes you think she really works for you … who knows… one day… she might work for me again…. ?? haha….

Ruhui walked right pass Cheryl, staring her down as she left the clinic without another word.

Tim : You are a disgrace to the family. !!!

Tim shouted with a last outburst at Victor before breaking free from TJ and left after Ruhui. Everyone could hear him calling out to his daughter in law down the corridor.

As the glass door closed behind Tim, Victor looked at each one of us with a smile.

Stephanie went over and hit her brother.

Stephanie : How could you not let us know your plan ???

Victor : I needed you to be convincing… you are the drama mama type….

The siblings hugged before Victor went over to TJ to see if he was ok.

Next he had a word with Sarah and Annie, they were the only 2 that were privy to the plan.

Within the next 10 minutes, instructions were given and I could really feel as if a huge rock has been lifted off my chest. There was this refreshing feeling of this finally being over.

Victor, TJ and Stephanie will be heading to Malaysia the next day together with Annie and Sarah. They will be spending the long weekend over there to make sure their mother is properly settled down before returning.

Victor came over to me and shook my hand before laughing as he gave me a hug.

Victor : Thanks James…. I hope Ruhui did not go overboard when she was with you… and errr… I’m sorry I kept you in the dark too….. I hope you understand…

I turned and shared a look with Cheryl who was right beside him and she gave me a look before shaking her head slightly.

I caught the hint and looked away without reacting.

James : It’s …. Ok….i’m just glad everything is over…

Victor : Give me a bit more time… you should be coming over to my office soon… we have big things happening…

He placed both hands on Cheryl’s shoulder and pushed her to the centre of the group.

Victor : None of this would have been possible without Cheryl , she was the one feeding me all the information for the past few months…We really owe her big time for this….

Cheryl gave a slight bow and Victor shared how he overheard Ruhui scolding Cheryl one late evening at 11pm. It was not really a scolding, more of an insult session. He found her crying at the carpark that night and the rest was history.

Victor : Now..!.... I’ve made plans for a meal….and I insist…..everyone… everyone attends… ok ?? No one goes home sober…. Haha… we should have time to rest before tomorrow evening’s trip to Malaysia.

The mood was a stark contrast to the tension that was in the room earlier.

In fact, I felt a lot happier already as I could finally breathe easier.

Stephanie came over and hugged me, her palm touched my face playfully for the first time as she thanked me for the help.

James : you said you were going to sleep with me ….

Stephanie laughed and gave me a playful slap on my cheek before going off to talk to Sarah.

Cheryl though was left alone, I could understand why. Afterall she was someone from the enemy camp, no one knew her until that moment.

Hell I think I know her more than the rest, albeit in a different manner.

I went over to Cheryl and sat down beside her.

There is this sweetness about her that you could not help but lean close. Like bees naturally drawn to honey.

It was at that moment I start to notice a little more about her. How she had dimples on only her left cheek. The colour of her hair, dyed a stylish blonde, and the sparkle of a pendant around her neck.

James : Why didn’t you tell me you were working with Victor … ?

Cheryl : We’re all just pawns James…..haha…

We burst out laughing as she wiped off remnants of her tears.

I saw Stephanie glanced over as she looked at me talk to Cheryl but she looked away soon after.5.30pm

Cheryl went over to Victor and said she was not very comfortable joining but he insisted she come. He even went to the extent of asking her to pack for the weekend.

Victor : Look, bring a overnight bag, I have rooms there. More than enough for all… stay for a mini vacation… just rest… ok ??

Cheryl reluctantly agreed

Everyone parted ways and I took a cab back home. I checked my phone en route back and I smiled as I saw a picture of the siblings’s mother with a older man at a café. Anyone could tell it was Sarah’s father.

She had his nose and eyes.

6.15pm

I was so tired that all I wanted was just to sleep.

The night before I hard caught a few winks and now with all the excitement in the day, I could hardly feel my limbs.

I had a long shower before collapsing onto my bed.

I literally had to drag myself out of bed at 7.20pm to take a cab to Sentosa. Before I hopped on the cab though, I dropped off Ruhui’s cheque into my bank account. It’s not likely to clear but well, no harm trying.

Victor had made reservations at Equarius Hotel and the lot of us gathered for food and drinks. It was a pretty new hotel and I had never been inside before.

Everyone was casually dressed, the men were all in berms and slippers.

Stephanie was in a flowery sun dress, a classy after beach wear even though I was sure she did not go to the beach. Still, it did not stop her from wearing her bikini, deliberately showing her colourful swimwear through her translucent dress.

Sarah too spotted the signature halter strings around her neck, it seemed they were all in the sentosa mood.

Annie was in simple pants and t-shirt.

Cheryl was the last to arrive.

When she did, the men turned to look at her. A simple sweet flowerly dress, that was it but it was more than enough to bring out the demure and shy girl next door look.

She had a Longchamp bag with her, probably some overnight clothes and swimwear. I felt this tickling sensation in my groin as images of me pushing my dick inside her flashed into my mind once more.

I had to pause and stop peeling prawns for a moment and allow the erection to pass.

Victor moved around, pouring drinks and insisting everyone drinks.

Stephanie and him were the loudest and the most rowdy.

Stephanie : Drink la… I dare you… you drink…

Victor : Lai lar…. Lai…

It was a comical sight as Stephanie put one leg up on the chair, exposing her leg as she rest the bottle of wine on her thigh while Victor was waving half a bottle of whiskey around.

TJ was the only one nursing a glass of water, smiling at the silly antics of the siblings while the rest of us had wine glasses in hand.

10pm

Victor insist we go to the bar for 2nd round since we were all sober. Most of us wanted to say no but we were busy laughing at him and his sister.

Like 2 crazy drunkards, they keep throwing dares at each other, mixing copious amount of wine and whiskey together.

I laughed the hardest when I say Stephanie forced down a concoction of whiskey and white wine as her face scrunched up and her eyes closed, her body shook as she flailed her hands like a small butterfly trying not to retch.

By 11pm , TJ has started to pour water into Victor’s whiskey glass whenever he asked for his cup to be top up. The best part was that he did not even realise he was drinking water.

I laughed and I knew where he was going. I took a sip of water, trying to sober up a little before leaving.

Victor : I’m…. I’m quite sure she’s virgin….

Puuuuslllooorrshhhhhhpppppp…..

I coughed and sprayed water onto the floor as Victor laughed and tapped me on my shoulder.

Victor ; Kidding la…. Hahah… just talking rubbish…. But Cheryl never had a boyfriend before…

Cheryl immediately retorted

Cheryl : Victor ! I …..

Victor : oops… haha… sorry… sorry…

That was all he managed before he started mumbling something about stock market and stuff we did not understand.

TJ decided it was time to go and he pulled Victor up.

TJ : James… your suitcase is in your office… I dropped it off earlier before we came…

James : Ok thanks…

TJ and the siblings loaded up the car and I watch them go off.

Cheryl drove and I said I’ll walk her to the carpark before grabbing a cab.

James : You sure you can drive…. In this state ??

Cheryl : yah… yah… I never really drink a lot…you need a lift ??

I shook my head immediately.

She got into her car and I waved to her as she started the engine. I have half a mind to stop her when she just held onto the steering wheel and stared into blank space for a good 5 seconds but then the reverse lights came up.

Cheryl had parked head in.

I was standing on the driver side, about a metre a way.

Don’t ever stand behind a reversing car but as they say, when shit happens, it happens.

Somehow Cheryl slammed the accelerator and the car jerked backwards, she panicked and turned the steering wheel, before I knew it, the bonnet of the car was swerving right into me as tried to jump backwards.

It was a futile effort.

The side of the car slammed into my waist and I landed face down onto the bonnet.

It was not a hard hit, I could feel the impact. The sensation was a little like you falling face down into water at the pool.

Cheryl immediately stopped and rushed out.

Cheryl : Oh my god… oh my god…

As I slid off the bonnet I was clutching my waist and checking my groin.

There was a sharp pain on my right and when I reached down, I felt this warm trickle of blood.

It turns out the impact had smashed my phone cover, the hard plastic splintered. cutting through my thin shorts and a small piece lodged itself into my skin.

I pulled down my pants a little, it was just a small cut with a egg shell like bit sticking out. Nothing serious but I could feel a bruise coming.

There’s quite a bit of blood though.

Cheryl : I’m so sorry James… I’m sorry…

She immediately reached for her phone.

James ; What are you doing ???

Cheryl ; call the ambulance …

James : Are you mad…. I’m fine… you’ll get charged for drink driving… forget it… you have tissues??? Just press to stop the bleeding would do…

She rummaged through her bag and she came out with a sanitary pad.

Cheryl : I used it all at the dinner earlier….use this… it’s good for bleeding…

James : No shit…

For the 2nd time within a short span of time, I had a sanitary pad plastered onto my body again.

Cheryl : Wait here… I go get tissue from the hotel….

I watched at Cheryl ran off towards the hotel lobby leaving me with the car in the big empty basement carpark.

The car was in the middle of nowhere, I decided to park it properly for her.

After I was done, I noticed Cheryl’s phone on the passenger seat plugged into the charger.

The carpark was empty.

It was just me inside her car.

I recalled the unlock sequence and I tried it. A wall paper of Cheryl came up.

I checked to make sure I was alone before I called up the messaging program.The message Cheryl received before we got the group message notification earlier in the day was from Victor.

Victor sms : Hang in there… I’m almost there…

I smiled and I scrolled though the rest of the messages and a cold chill ran down my spine. Goosebumps rose on my arms, and the hair on my neck stood on it’s ends.

I breathed faster and harder as I glanced through the messages and the content.

Cheryl’s been busy.

It finally dawned on me things might not be as simple as it seems on the surface.

She is in a relationship that’s for sure.

But none of this make sense to me.

What does it mean exactly ?

I don’t know.

I give up.

“did you like the taste of his dick ? “

Cheryl sms : of course… beats sucking a dildo anytime….

“ How about when he penetrated you ? “

Cheryl sms : heavenly…. There was no way to describe that feeling of being filled.

“ So you keen on getting fucked by him again “

Cheryl sms : Haha… unlikely it’ll happen….

“ I’m saying what if ? “

Cheryl sms : I would not say no … lol….

“ It feels different ?? much better than me ? “

Cheryl sms : Out of this world…. That unwillingness of his….lol… I squeezed him hard when he entered me….somehow, seeing him struggle with his decision even though I know he wants it is arousing.

Cheryl sms : All men are the same… they want it, yet they pretend they don’t…. the lies they tell just to get it…..

“ Is that why you hate them so much ?? “

Cheryl sms : you won’t understand .. ..

I could feel my blood boiling as I read on further.

Then the message took a drastic change in topic.

“ Few more months and we are done, we can leave “

Cheryl sms : Looking forward to that day…. Can’t stand Ruhui…

“ just think of the money, it works for me… “

Cheryl sms : I’ll try…

The next few messages were of her being worried about her family

Her phone buzzed and the latest message came in.

I read it before putting back the phone.

Jacklyn sms : I miss you…….. come back soon…

I looked up, staring out the windscreen and I watched as the sweet, innocent looking girl next door came running out of the lobby with a stack of napkins in her hands.

Cheryl : You ok ??

I nodded and pointed to the sanitary pad that was getting a little soaked.

James : I need to change my pad...................

We spent 5 minutes cleaning up before I said I better make a move.

I was having really mixed feelings and emotions at that moment. To be really honest, I felt like raping Cheryl.

I wanted to put the blame on the alcohol, I wanted to yank down her dress to expose her breast.

To fondle her lovely cute nipples as I undress her.

The urge was so strong that I found it hard to control myself as Cheryl’s head was bent over my bottom, trying to clean up my wound. Her long hair fell onto my lap, brushing against my tummy, my groin and my thighs.

I only need to nudge her head down a little, should would be able to take up the perfect position.

Cheryl : Ok, it doesn’t look like a deep cut…. But somehow it’s still bleeding. …. Not as bad as the initial bit.

James : It’s ok… I’m fine… I better go…

Cheryl : James wait... i could give you a lift…. The scare sobered me up …. I’m quite ok now…

James : You go ahead….

She looked a little puzzled but she got in her car anyway. Perhaps it was the sudden coldness she felt from me. I could not help it. There is something about her that makes me wary.

The very thought of her actually enjoying being forced upon was an alarm bell on it’s ok.

Cheryl drove by in the car and we gave each other a wave as she wind down her window.

Cheryl : I’m sorry James…..

James : It’s ok… drive safe…

A hotel guest arrived and I took the opportunity to grab that taxi while the luggage was being unloaded.

I would have wanted to head back home for a good sleep but the little accident woke me up. The realisation of Cheryl’s relationship with Jacklyn also contributed to the factor.

I burst out laughing in the cab as I pictured TJ announcing Rex is his boyfriend but I brushed it off.

The uncle stared at me and I directed him to head to office. Since I was in town, I might as well go pick up my suitcase before going back.

By the time I got to office, it was already close to 1am. The guard stared at my bloodied pants and partially stained shirt with shock but I told him I’m fine.

James : Minor accident …. I go clothes in office to change.

He nodded before going back to his newspaper.

Well, at least the spare set of clothes I packed in my bag would be useful after all.

When the lift door opened at my level I froze again.

It cannot be.

Along the dimly lit corridor, my office light was on. The only lit office along the entire row.

I approached it cautiously, slowing down as I got nearer.

There was a flash of a shadow, someone was definitely inside.

I took a peek through the slit at the entrance and heave a sigh of relief when I saw it was Stephanie.

I tapped on the glass door so as not to alarm her before entering the password.

The moment she saw the blood, she dropped the 2 dresses on hand and quickly went to the pantry for tissues.

Stephanie : What !!!! oh my god. … JAMES!!! …. JAMES!!!!

I was holding onto the wound and bloodied patch and I decided to play a trick on Stephanie.

I maintained a neutral expression and I staggered towards the middle of the office before I slowly kneel down.

Stephanie : JAMES !!!.... oh fuck… fuck… JAMES!!!

She began pulling a lot of tissue. A lot a lot of napkins flew out of the box but she was not doing anything. She really panicked and came over to my side with all the white tissues settling onto the carpet floor.

Stephanie supported me with her body , allowing me to lie against her.

Then I decided to go an exaggerated mile and I rolled back my eyes and shook my body as if I had a spasm for 2-3 seconds while I choke on my own blood or some shit.

James: KORRRkkkkkgggooaottttttt….eeruuuu.ughhh..uggggg…ug hhhhhhhhhh

Stephanie : AHHHHHH!!!!...JA….

At the very instance, I knew I was in trouble.

Stephanie cried, both her hands left my head as she brought them up to her own face in shock. There was a sudden expulsion of warmth from beneath me and I could smell the unmistakable smell of pee.

In fact I could feel it soaking the carpet beneath me and my top as well.I stopped immediately as Stephanie cried like a toddler having a meltdown. Her mouth opened, her eyes red and lost, even her hands did not know where to position themselves.

James : Stephanie…. Stephanie…..

I immediately got back up to my normal self and started shaking her a little.

James : I’m ok…. I’m ok…. It’s just a joke…

It took a while for her to stop crying.

And when she did, I could see the gradual change in her expression.

Her shoulders followed her breathing, as it got heavier, the more her body rose and slouched.

Her eyes, red with the crying glared at me.

I saw her look down at herself before turning back towards me and I backed a couple of steps away from her.

James : You….. promised…. You won’t get angry….

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva when her left hand clenched into a ball of fist.

I backed away a little more as her 2nd fist was formed.

James : Steph…. Steph… calm down…. Talk to me…. Talk to me…

She glared at me as she slowly rose off the floor like an apparition. Her flowery sundress was stained and wet at the bottom. With the wet fabric, I could see the distinct outline of her bikini.

The shapely triangle that plastered itself tightly now against her wet crotch.

James : Stephanie !!... I really had an accident… it’s just not that bad…. But I had an accident…

She did not reply me but continued walking towards me in a menacing manner.

I was running out of space to back anymore and I changed direction and opened her office door.

I immediately closed it but she had to rush in after me. As if me playing the trick on her was not bad enough, I slammed the door into her forehead before I could close it.

Stephanie : ARHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

James : I’m so sorry….

I lifted up both my palms, trying to calm her down.

In the confusion, Stephanie closed the distance. Like a praying mantis reaching out for it’s prey, her right hand reached out and managed to grab a big tuff of my hair, yanking me towards her, pushing me down onto the floor.

James : ARHHHHHhh!!!!....

Before we realise it, we were wrestling. I tried to prise her hands away while she tried to straddle me. Lifting up my bottom, I raised my body and pushed her off, but she would not give up.

She made another attempt but I managed to roll a short distance and she missed her grip, cursing into the carpet.

I tried to get up on my feet but I only managed to get my knees off the ground when I was yanked back downwards by her.

An arm went around my neck and I quickly pushed it out before she could tighten her grip.

James : Stephanie !!.. listen to me… please…

Another tuff of my hair was pulled and I felt back downwards onto the carpet.

I knew it was game over when both her hands were in my hair while I held onto her wrist as she straddled me.

James : You’re rubbing pee all over me… ahhhhh…..

Her dress rode up high, her bikini bottom already well exposed.

Another round of vigorous hair pulling was done as she shook me like a doll with a broken neck as she screamed at me.

Stephanie : AHHHHH!!!!....

We were both exhausted and spent by then.

Her fingers loosened the grip on my hair but I continued my grip on her wrist.

Both of us were panting for breath as we stared at each other.

I pulled Stephanie closer and she fell onto me, her body pressing against mine. Her hair was messy and untied. It fell all over my face, creating a barrier of sort as it encased both our faces within that black mass.

Our faces were close together, almost to the point that our nose were touching.

A stray ribbon of her Halter bikini hung over the right of Stephanie’s neck, plastering itself against her cheek near her lips.

I tilted my lips upwards a little, unsure of what I was doing.

Stephanie too, hesitated for a moment but in the end, her lips met mine.

It was just a peck.

A soft peck.

A greeting of sort between our lips.

I reached forward again and Stephanie did not move. I kissed her on her lips once more before I bit onto the ribbon, pulling it away from her cheek and untying the knot that held it together.

With the sudden lost in tension, I could see the top of the halter coming loose. Stephanie kissed me again and our fingers interlocked as she pressed them down onto the carpeted floor, her bottom sliding downwards slowly from my tummy towards my groin.

She kissed me on my cheek before whispering by my ears .

Stephanie : Any last words ??

James : Huh ?

Before I could react, Stephanie’s thigh squeezed down, clamping tightly at the area where my wound was, my mouth gasped opened and I immediately tried to struggle free as my body went into spasm.

It was not really a killer pain but more if the sharp sting and the rapid twitching of raw nerves. I was convulsing like I was in a fit as Stephanie laughed and held on for a while longer before I started begging for her to stop.

When she finally did, she sat back up and tied up her halter bikini again.

I was groaning on the floor as she stood up.

Stephanie : If you ever ever…. Tell anyone about this…. I will kill you…

5 minutes later, we were sipping a cup of tea in the pantry together. I was surprise there were no awkward moments despite what happened.

We chatted normally and you could tell it was not a deliberate attempt to keep conversation going. It was really just a normal chat.

Stephanie came back to retrieve some clothes for the trip to Malaysia. I told her I came for my suitcase.

Both of us changed, in separate rooms before I walked her back to her place, talking about what happened.

I told her what I found out about Cheryl and Jacklyn and Stephanie was shocked beyond words.

We parted at the door with just a simple goodbye wave and a smile. Neither one of us said anything about what happened. Right before she closed the door, she asked me to clean up the office.

Stephanie : It better……. Not stink…. When I get back,.

James : Hahaha… ok…

I collapsed onto bed when I got back home, losing track of time as I slept through the weekend.

There were no phone calls, no messages, no drama.

All was good.

I brought my parents out for dinner before catching a movie with friends.

31st December 2012

Monday

8.30am

It’s a half day for me, not that it matters, Stephanie is in Malaysia.

I spent some time looking for a cleaning company and was happy to find one that is in the same building as mine. After getting a quote for the cleaning, I asked them to send someone over after the holiday, first thing on Wednesday morning.

2nd January 2013

Wednesday.

9.50am

Stephanie came back to work, looking really bright and cheerful. Her mother had been nicely settled into her apartment in Malaysia. She would be visiting whenever she can so would Victor.

Stephanie : Peace…. I hope it last……

James : Of course it will.

She smiled and said Ruhui will not take it lying down.

Stephanie : She will have something up her sleeve, I just hope not too soon…

January flew by without me realising it.

Life went back to normal and I was happy.Really happy.

Ruhui’s 10k cheque actually cleared and I withdrew the entire sum, putting them into the same stash I have at home. Together with the money from loose change and Stephanie’s extra from my CPF employee contribution, I have close to 19k in various denomination.

14th Feburary 2013

Thursday

8.30am

James : Boss…. You got date today ??

Stephanie laughed as she signed off the cheques I issued on her behalf.

Stephanie : Date you lor…. What to do…haha..

I laughed and boldly asked her for dinner and drinks at the hawker centre near her place.

Stephanie : Swee…. It’s the only place they don’t try to sell you some valentine set meal…. Haha… ok…

I placed the mail on her table and said I’ll see her after work then.

James : Nah… your mail…. I think you got red bomb….

I left her room soon after.

Barely 2 minutes after I sat down, there was a loud slam.

WHAM !!!

The sound of palm against table. I jumped in shock and I immediately walked over to Stephanie, before I got to her room, she had her bag in hand, walking right pass me and out of the office.

James : Stephanie !!... Stephanie… !!

I chased after her but she said she needed to go out urgently.

Heading back to the office, I scratched my head and continued my work.

11am

Victor called me, saying that some contractors will be coming down to replace the office door, asking me to assist.

My phone notification went off and it was a group message.

I looked at the message again, to make sure I was reading it right.

It was the same group created by Victor.

We were to meet in Stephanie’s office that evening at 8pm

Something did not smell right.

A new member was added to the group, TJ introduced the person as Shawn, his younger brother, who would be working for Victor as well.

3 minutes later, Cheryl was added into the group by Victor himself.

11.30am

Some contractors arrived together with the vendor for the security system. They spent the next 3 hours replacing the glass door with a solid timber door before leaving.

The new door closer is pretty tight, it takes a while for the door to close automatically on it’s own after you leave it. The new magnetic catch too, snapped shuts with a loud thud.

Needless to say, I’m pretty sure my date with Stephanie is cancelled.

I never saw her again until that evening.

7.20pm

I got some drinks and snacks up into the office, I don’t think anyone would have eaten.

7.45 pm

The magnetic catch started snapping.

Sarah was the first to arrive. In a slick black pants suit and a blazer, she looked cool and trendy. Her hair was tied up into a high ponytail and her heels made her look like any one of the office ladies that you see in Raffles place on a work day.

I learnt from her she has started work at a clinic, dealing mostly with corporate clients, and yes, Victor’s company being the biggest.

7.48pm

TJ entered alone.

Snapped !

7.55pm

It snapped again when Cheryl came in and took a seat opposite the very table I penetrated her.

7.56pm

It snapped once more when a guy I never saw before came in, he had to be Shawn.

8.00pm

Stephanie entered and I could see Victor on the phone in the corridor as the door slowly closed.

Again it snapped, the thud causing a slight vibration on the wooden door

No one spoke.

Subconsciously, we had formed a semi circle around the main entrance while we waited for Victor.

I leaned against the reception, my arms folded as I stared blankly towards the wall.

Cheryl sat with her legs crossed, looking at her phone.

Shawn and TJ stood against the wall outside Stephanie’s office , I could see the similarities in their features.

Sarah had her hands in her pocket as she tried to draw some invisible figure on the carpet with her heel.

Stephanie had dragged out her office chair, she looked glum and gloomy with her arms folded as all of us waited for Victor.

8.03pm

Victor entered, apologising for the wait.

He made eye contact with each of us, nodding his head slightly as the heave timber door slowly swung to a close.

I watch him pass me the same red invitation card I saw Stephanie stormed out of the office with.

My heart sank and there was this foreboding feeling all over again.

The groom is Matthew, Ruhui’s brother.

The bride.

Stephanie.

I passed it along to Cheryl and looked back up at Victor.

At the same moment the door snapped shut with a vibrating thud, he nodded his head slightly at us and addressed everyone in the room.

Victor : It has begun…...................

Everyone looked on intently at Victor as he considered his words carefully before speaking.

Victor : This….

He pointed to the card that was being passed around.

Victor : This is but a taste of what is about to come….

He went on to say that so far, Stephanie has the only copy. It’s a warning. It looks like a first draft of the card design that was sent for Client’s approval.

Victor : I knew she would not take what we did lying down, but I never expected her to strike so fast….

Victor : I don’t know who sent it…. It might be Ruhui….. it might not be…. I don’t know…. Maybe someone is trying to warn us….. or maybe it might be Ruhui giving us a warning….. nobody knows…..but I’m trying to find out.

He does not rule out Ruhui might be using this as an attempt to ruffle our feathers a little to see what we would do, but the message was clear enough to all. She will hit back.

Victor updated us about some stuff which happened after they settled their mother down in Malaysia.

There was some major reorganisation in his office, he got rid of a few senior staff that he knew were working for Ruhui on the side, providing her with sensitive information.

Ruhui on the other hand got rid of a team of 4 staff that used to belong to Victor. A team of in house designers that dealt with everything from graphics to minor renovation works required in the offices and production plants.

Victor : She’s going for the senior technicians next. That’s what I would do if I was her….

He went on to explain that there was a team of about 30 staff which were the 1st generation workers his grandfather had. Many of them worked their whole life for the company, these are 30-40 year old veterans, some starting work as young as 15 back in those days.

Victor : During the merger, it was more practical for Ruhui’s company to take over the team as their core capabilities complemented her structure better as we get ourselves in order.

It was something his grandfather strongly disagreed with but had no choice. It was for the better of the other hundred odd employees.

With the advancement of technology and tools, many of these veterans are obsolete. Their skills no longer relevant, but Ruhui kept them for only 2 simple reason.

Their Singaporean IC, which opens up a lot of possibilities and the poker chips to talk to their grandfather.

Several attempts were made to get them back but it was unsuccessful. Ruhui kept insisting they are serving as mentors to younger staff although.

Victor : I always knew this would come back to haunt us 1 way or the other….. and of course… there is this….

He pointed to the wedding invite.

Ruhui’s intention to get her brother to marry Stephanie is in part due to her wanting her brother back in Singapore. He was always travelling around, fooling with woman and spending money. She wanted him back to help manage the company.

His level of maturity is worse than a 15 year old going through puberty.

Matthew however, took a fancy to Stephanie when he first saw her, Ruhui saw it as an opportunity.

Victor : The deal was that if Ruhui could get Stephanie for Matthew…..he would stop fooling around and settle down…

I stole a glance at Stephanie and there were no expression on her face.

I could only imagine what was going through her mind.

Jack, is disgusting, but if she rather have Jack than Matthew, I wondered what kind of monster he is.

Victor pointed to Shawn and TJ.

Victor : 14 September 2013….. you have the date…. Call every hotel, ballroom, restaurant….. I don’t care if it’s a convention centre….. I want to know which one…

Victor : The location was not specified, but it’s not going to be a hush hush 10-20 tables…… 50-60 at least…. There are not many ballrooms with that capacity in Singapore….

He added that even that would not be enough, it’s likely that there would be a separate reception in the afternoon before the main banquet for other guest base on his own wedding with Ruhui.

Next up was Cheryl.

Victor : I want to know what she is up to… anything… find out… call your old colleagues, when is she travelling? , where is she going ?…. What is she doing ?… everything… including Matthew.

He looked at Sarah and asked her to dig some information up for him.

Victor : I want to know everyone Ruhui’s company is hiring…. I can’t walk into her HR department, but I knew everyone goes to the clinic for check-ups before they are hired.

He spent a few more minutes on general matters before the meeting was over. He asked to speak with Stephanie in private and we cleared the room.

8.45pm

Victor came out of the office and I was loitering near the lift lobby. I was not assigned with any task at the moment.

He came up to me and asked me for a favour.

Victor : James…. Help me keep an eye on Stephanie ok….

James : Sure… don’t worry….

He paused for a moment before turning to check to make sure we were the only one along the corridor.

He reached into his pocket and passed me a set of 2 keys.

Victor : Steal Stephanie’s passport for me…

James : WHAT!

He dragged me further away from the lift lobby and my office.

Victor : Stephanie may look calm but she is panicking…. When you panic… you tend to make stupid decisions… I don’t want her to run… let me get the whole picture first…

James : But…. But… what if she find out…. She’ll …

He reassured me it’ll be fine. He’ll be taking her out for dinner the next day. I was to quickly go to her place, grab it and get out. That was all I had to do.

I reluctantly agreed.

8.55pm

I went back to the office and saw Stephanie munching on a kuey I bought.

James : I…. don’t suppose you still want to go for the date ?

She turned and straight away asked me what did Victor tell me.

James : To keep an eye on you…. That’s all..

Stephanie : I don’t believe you…

She suddenly came close to me and I backed away.

James : Oei….. siao ah…

Stephanie suddenly reach out her hand towards me and I instinctively went to cover my right pocket where her spare house keys were. She immediately caught sight of that as I backed off further.

Stephanie : What’s in your pocket…

James : Nothing la…

I tried to change the topic and proposed the valentine’s day date again while I pretended to brush some invisible dust off my pocket.

She turned away and said she’s not in the mood for dinner but doesn’t mind some drinks.

Stephanie : Let’s buy something up my place…. I need a hot shower…

BINGO !...

I could not believe my luck.

If I could get her passport later, I would not have to break in the next evening.

It sure beats telling the police her brother asked me to steal something from her sister if I was caught.

Sure, I could say the brother asked me to, of which I’m sure the police will say something like if Victor ask me to go and eat shit will I do the same ?

James : Sure… let’s go…

Stephanie told me what she wanted and asked me to grab them from the supermarket. Some nuts, beer and snacks while she heads back for her shower.

9.30pm

I waited about 5 minutes by the door before she opened it for me.

Her hair was still damp and she was trying to dry them with her towel. She wore a white t-shirt with some decorative buttons near the neckline, the wet spots on the fabric turning it translucent. I could catch glimpse of her pastel blue bra she wore and I quickly looked away.

I chose to look downwards which was a mistake, she was wearing this really short pink shorts that reached so high up her thighs.

I set down the stuff and for no apparent reasons, my heart started beating faster.

I could see her room a few steps away and I was trying to think of a reason to go in there. More like finding an opportunity to go in.

The easiest way was for her to go to the bathroom. Then again I don’t know where is her passport, how was I supposed to find it within that short period of time.

The drinking and chat started once we settled down in the living room.

I did not know if Stephanie did it on purpose, she took a big gulp of beer, spilling some in the process. A good amount trickled down her neck and wet her white top, revealing more of her bra.I swallowed a gulp of saliva and quickly downed some beer as she slapped me on my thigh.

Stephanie : Can you pay attention to what I’m saying…!!

I nodded as we continued talking about our school days.

We were sitting on the ground cross-legged , every once in a while, Stephanie would hugged onto her knees or changed her position because your legs get numb. I did the same thing too but the thing was that she was wearing shorts so short, I could not help but stare at the crotch area as she talked.

I could see the pink shorts, the tiny sliver of fabric that was layered with another layer on the inside, no doubt her panty.

Smack !...

Another hit on my thigh as she asked me to stop staring at her…

Stephanie : Haiyah!!... what’s wrong with you !..

James : Sorry… very distracting …haha…

She went into her room to get a blanket and placed it over her lap as we continued chatting.

After our 2nd beer, the conversation died down a little.

We opened the 3rd can and I suggested playing some games.

Stephanie : Strip poker ah ?

I almost choked on my beer as I stared wide eyes at her.

James : You sure ?? I on one !...

She maintained her calm outlook and narrowed her eyes at me. I could feel this burning excitement inside my guts. Strip poker exists only in the movies, jap porn, or maybe just some stories you read online.

Then again, despite playing it a couple of times, no one was ever games enough to go all out. Once we go beyond a certain line, people would just chicken out.

James : You sure or not….. don’t wait lose already… give all sorts of reasons…

Stephanie kicked me with her feet and went into her room.

I could feel a strange sense of arousal, the thought of being able to strip her slowly. To see each piece of the clothing come off.

Hell, I might even want to up the stake and offer to take it off for her.

Stephanie came out with a stack of cards and I immediately started off shooting out all the rules I can think off.

James: don’t play cheat ah…. 1 piece means 1 piece… cannot say 1 button or anything… take off means take off…. Cannot leave it on or anything…. Not even putting it over the shoulders….

James : We play no put back clothes one ok… is all the way until the 1st one to get naked lose. … I mean like totally….naked…

I even added that the game ends when one is naked, there after the winner gets to choose a forfeit.

James : Forfeit got to do when naked also ya..

Stephanie : You very naggy lah…. Like auntie like that….

She started shuffling and I quickly added.

James : We play normal rules ah… don’t have wait suddenly you draw 2 of spades say we play dai dee rules….

Stephanie : TSK !....

She gave me such a loud tsk and drew a card. I got 1 too and I slowly peeped at the corner.

Before I did, I took a swig of beer. My very action reminded me of all the funny gambling shows I watched.

Stephanie did not bother peeping and just brought it up and looked before shaking her head.

Stephanie : it’s a number…

James : HUAT AH!!!

I slammed the jack of hearts onto the table and looked a little eagerly at Stephanie who was trying not to sulk.

We stared at each other for a moment before Stephanie gingerly took off her top at once, exposing her skin and pastel coloured blue bra. She set the card aside and drew another one with her right hand while her left was trying to cover herself.

I could not stop staring at her.

Her supple breast nested comfortably on her bra. Her left hand trying to cover herself while she glared at me with a crooked mouth. I could not resist displaying the antics of a sleazy old man as I took the next card.

James : One more time !!... one more …..please…..shit… no border…ahhh..ahh….

The moment I saw 4 diamonds on 1 side, I grinned again. I opened it up and it was a 10.

James : Wah… not bad…

Stephanie gave another louder TSK as she threw her card aside. I could see she wanted to scream at me but she was holding back.

James : You wanted to play one hor…. Not me ah….

Reluctantly she stood up and it happened in slow mo. Stephanie pulled down her shorts and my blood vessels contracted, I immediately adjusted my sitting position as she slid down her shorts.

Don’t be mistaken.

I was aroused not by the fact that she was taking off her shorts. It was more of the action.

Of how she wriggled the shorts low enough before using 1 of her toes to push it down, that way, she would not have to bend all the way to remove it.

Stephanie : Stop staring !...

Her panty is a school girl white low rise panty. When she sat down, I was pretty sure I could see her butt crack if I was behind her.

She immediately picked another card.

Before I picked she immediately called out.

Stephanie : Can I pick 2 cards and use either one ? you win 2 times liao…

James : No!... rules are rules… don’t play cheat..

I wanted to chuckle as I confidently picked another one.

Stephanie : How about we double it or nothing….I stared at her slyly and asked her what she meant.

Stephanie :…2 cards each, the one with the biggest takes all….2 piece of clothing.

I laughed and slapped my thigh.

James : Are you sure… !!

I could not help but smiled. Even if I took off, I would still be left with my underwear. If Stephanie loses, it’s game over.

She nodded her head and I let her picked another one while I drew mine.

I felt a sudden throb in my dick when I saw the disappointment in her face as she looked at her cards before looking back at me.

James : I’m sorry girl… haha…

I placed down a Queen and a 4 of spades, rubbing my hands gleefully.

Then Stephanie placed down a king.

The smiled disappeared from my face as I stared at the card.

James : Why do you look so disappointed then ??

Stephanie : You obviously don’t play poker…

She gestured with her finger as I grumbled and took off my shirt followed by my pants.

The moment I took off my pants, I could no longer hide my erection through my loose boxers and there was an awkward moment of silence. The entire shape was so obvious, I might as well be naked.

Stephanie deliberately looked away as she pulled her blanket to cover her legs and bottom while I sat in front of her with a hard throbbing dick.

We drained the 3rd can of beer and Stephanie asked me to grab some more from her fridge.

I had both my hands in front of me as I walked into the kitchen. I was initially amazed at the number of facial masks in her fridge but the moment I touched the cold beer, I immediately rushed back to the living room but I was too late.

Kneeling in front of my clothes, Stephanie had fished out the keys Victor gave me.

James : Stephanie I can explain…

She glared angrily at me as she pulled on her shorts before pulling on her shirt. She looked around the living room and the only thing she could get her hands on was the electric fly swatter. A really old one with exposed horizontal wires.

Some parts were deformed, probably the cause of hitting it against furniture or something

James : Stephanie…. Calm down…. Listen to me…

She walked steadily towards me, swinging the racket at me as I ducked under her, trying to run into the living room.

Stephanie : What did Victor tell you to do ??

James : Nothing…. It…it’s just to keep an eye on you…

Another swing of the racket came and I ducked, jumping onto the 3 seater sofa as I tried to dance my way out of danger.

Stephanie : Don’t lie to me James…

James : I’m not… it’s really… to take care of your…in case…

She started swinging the bat in a wide arc, cutting my route off.

I made and attempt and she caught me right on my finger.

TIAK !

James : Ouch…!!.. fuck… siao ah…

I tried to grab it from her but she struck again.

TIAK !

James : AHHH!!... stop it…

Another attempt made but I was faster, I got under Stephanie and tried to wrestle her onto the sofa but she stepped aside during my tackle, I still got her but not straight on. We hit the sofa together and another jolt hit my butt.

James : AHH…

I turned around and tried to grab the bat from her right hand but she threw it and catching it on her left, the moment I saw her grab it, my instinct was to protect my head and face.

It’s instinct.

Whenever we were startled, we would want to protect our head first. Our hands would rise up instinctively, our body reacting to the imminent danger.

I was wrong.

Very wrong.

If she had instantly brought it down on me, she would naturally go for my head, or hands, but she did not.

The next thing I felt was the hard coldness of the electrical wires on my boxers

I froze.

My eyes widened in fear.

James : Stephanie…..wait.. wait…

A smile broke out on her face as she moved the bat slowing around my bulging dick, trying to find a sweet spot.

Stephanie : Don’t move James… you will regret it.

I tried to talk but Stephanie screamed, giving me the fright of my life.

Stephanie : Quiet!!!

James : AHHHHH!!! Don’t.. don’t… please… don.t

By then she had positioned and squeezed my bulge through the flexible wires. The tight squeeze through the soft wires rubbed onto my dickhead, the constricting feeling sent more blood to my erection.

James : Stephanie…. This is not funny…

She was already trying hard not to laugh and maintain a straight face. Her finger hovered close to the switch. Every time she laughed, it got closer and closer to the button.

James : Stop… stop… stop laughing….

I closed myself, mentally willing my erection to die down, but Stephanie knew what I was thinking and she did the unthinkable.

She started moving the bat up and down, using the thin flimsy wires as a tool as she teased my erection

James : Don’t… don’t’… Stephanie…

She giggled as I could feel my dick getting harder. The harder it got, the tighter it became as I was already stretching the wire with my bulge.

When I saw Stephanie blinked a few times and sniffed her nose, I knew my time is up.

All the wrestling had kicked up a cloud of dust from the hardly used sofa. She tried to blink it away but it was too late.

Everything happened so fast.I could not move.

I could only stare helplessly as her mouth opened a little before her eyes squeezed shut.

I could imagine myself staring at my maker, ready to go. I really thought i saw a flash of white light but it was from the bat.

As Stephanie sneezed, her finger depressed the button, completing the circuit, sending a current into my groin.

The TIAK! Came and went before I reacted.

Stephanie was in shock as she looked on in horror, she immediately dropped the bat and both her hands went to her mouth causing it to fall and hang by the wire on my dick.

She looked apologetic as she alternated her wides eyes between me and my groin.

Stephanie : I.m…..i’m…. I’m… so sorry …. James… James…

I don’t know what sensation I was feeling.

I felt all my testicles tightened so hard in a split second I thought they were being squeezed, then it felt like someone had driven a spike down my pee hole. It was painful, but I could not react.

I wanted to speak but I can’t, my mouth just wide opened as I struggled to breathe.

I laid back down on the sofa, my hand shivered as I tried to touch my own dick.

Stephanie : I’m so sorry… I swear… I swear… It was not on purpose…. Shit… I’m sorry James….

2 minutes later, I no longer had an erection. It was flaccid. The blood was all gone. The bat fell to the ground.

Stephanie and I both stared at my dick for a good few seconds before our eyes met.

Stephanie : Are…. Are you ok ??

I shook my head..

James : I’m…. I’m not sure…. i…. I can’t feel anything….

Stephanie touched me outside my boxers, just a prod

I shook my head.

Usually I would be getting a fucking erection. I mean Stephanie ??? touching me on my dick ???? when I’m only in boxers…. I could be spilling pre cum all over… but nothing….

Nothing happened.

I was feeling a little scared.

Then she held onto my dick and looked at me in a questioning manner.

Stephanie : Anything ?

I shook my head.

I could feel her finger depress my dick slightly as she massaged my head and she repeated her question again.

I shook my head but the reaction was already happening, I could feel it even before it happened.

Enough blood got back through as Stephanie pulled down my boxers before kneeling in front of me. She opened her mouth and looked back up at me with her eyes wide opened like some inflatable blow job doll as my dick shot to it’s full glory, throbbing in front of her face as she held it in her hand for the first time.

Stephanie backed away and slapped my dick once.

James : OWwww….What are you doing ?

Stephanie : It still works… you’re fine.

James : But…. But….. how do you know if I can cum properly ???

She reached for the bat again and I quickly backed away.

She sighed loudly in the living room and massaged her tummy, declaring that she needed the bathroom.

Stephanie : I’ll deal with you later..

After another threatening wave of the bat , she disappeared into her room with ipad in tow. I got dressed and waited for a couple of minutes before I approached her room.

When I turned the door knob, I did it slowly and carefully, afraid that any creaking sound might alert Stephanie to my attempt at entering her room.

The moment the door swung wide enough, my heart felt as if someone had thrown a dart at it. I could not believe my eyes.

Right beside Stephanie’s bed, was a luggage. She was already packing.

Immediately my eyes darted around the room and I saw what I needed to grab on her table.

I kept an eye on the master bathroom’s door as I walked over to the table.

The E-tickets, the travel documents, hotel vouchers, they were all there.

I looked at the time of the bookings, it was all done in the early part of the day, a few hours after Stephanie saw the invitation. She would be flying out the next morning to Taipei.

Victor was right.

Stephanie is panicking and she was about to run.

I took the opportunity to grab her passport but what I just discovered was too important to keep to myself. I immediately text Victor and he replied immediately, saying that he would be here in 20 minutes.

I looked at Stephanie’s passport, she was smiling sweetly in the photo, it was then I noticed something else. She had less than 9 months of validity on her passport.

The bright coloured slip under a stack of mail was also a dead giveaway. I took it up and saw that Stephanie had actually applied for a new passport since her old one was about to expire.

It seems she did not have time to go collect her new one now that she needed to leave immediately.

I took both the slip and passport up in my hand and I was considering the situation when I heard the flush and the bathroom door opened.

Stephanie stood at the door and her surprise of seeing me in her room soon wore off when she saw what I had in my hands.

None of us spoke.

We just stood there staring at each other.

About a minute passed before she asked if that was what Victor asked me to do.

I nodded.

She did not charge straight at me.

She did not scream

She did not even scold me, or threaten me.

Something was off.

I saw her eyes looked away, trying to focus on a corner of the ceiling as she took a deep breath.

Honestly, I don’t know what I’m seeing.

She looked like she was hurt yet trying to put on a brave front.

I could see her bite her lips when I told her to calm down, and that Victor would have a plan, there was no need for this.

James : He’s on his way….we can talk this through.

Her shoulders slouched as she slowly walked over to her bed and sat down.

I don’t know how to describe the look on her face.

It made me feel like shit.

As if I had just betrayed her.

She looked away from me

Stephanie : My brother….is … a very practical man…..he would do anything…. If it’s for the good of the company….

James : I don’t believe you…. It can’t be that bad….

She looked down on her feet and it doesn’t seem like she was in the mood to talk.

I left the room with the passport and collection slip in my hands and closed the door.

She said something right before the door closed which I heard clearly but chose not to reply.

Barely 10 minutes later, I heard a knock on the door before the bell rang.

Through the peep hole, I saw Victor and Shawn.

My hand hesitated for a moment at the door handle.

Right before I touched the handle, I could not help but recall what Stephanie had said to me before I closed her room door.

Stephanie : Do you think…a… kind….understanding…and …emotional…. Victor….will ever …….stand a chance against the likes of Ruhui ?? ….

I took a deep breathe, stuffed the collection slip deep into the recess of my pocket and opened the door.....................................Within the short span of that few seconds it took for the door to open, so much went through my mind.

What Stephanie said did make some sense but so did Victor.

He could read his sister like a book, knowing that she would be rash in making her decisions.

What good would it serve if merely an invitation card is enough to make Stephanie run ?

Shouldn’t she at least stay and fight ?

If she had ran, perhaps it was exactly what Ruhui wanted, to ruffle her feathers a little.

Still, I could not shake the shitty feeling that was going through my veins.

I tried my best not to touch my pocket even though I felt the weight of the collection slip in it.

It felt heavy, almost like a responsibility, weighing down on my shoulders.

When our eyes met, Victor asked if I was ok as he eyed the passport on my hand and relieved me of it.

I nodded my head as he stepped in.

TJ appeared from around the corner as he hung up his phone.

Victor : Is she angry with you ??

James : I guess so…

Victor : Don’t mind her…she’ll be ok after she calms down.

Victor knocked on Stephanie’s door and entered her room while the rest of us settled down in the living area.

Shawn saw the drinks and cards and immediately asked if we played strip poker.

Shawn : Wah…. Drink beer eat snacks…. Strip poker ah…

TJ and I both gave him a look and he looked away after smiling awkwardly.

I kept my ears peeled for any signs of quarrel or screaming inside the room but there was none.

As I sat in a daze, staring at my own feet, I tried to think of the implications of my action.

Sure, I withheld the collection slip but even if I had given it to Stephanie 1st thing in the morning the ICA opens, there was no way should could make her 10am flight out of the country.

About 15 minutes later, Victor came out of her room and he did not look too pleased. He motioned for all of us to go and we left Stephanie alone back at her place. I thought of dropping her a message but I have no idea what would be the content of that message.

I went home, dropped the collection slip on my desk and went to sleep with a heavy heart.

15 Feburary 2013

Friday

8.30am

It was work as usual for me. The new timber door felt imposing as I unlocked it but it sure felt a lot safer compared to the glass door that anyone could peep in.

I got on with my work and started getting things in order.

9.30am

The door opened and Stephanie came in.

I was surprised, I definitely did not expect to see her that day given what happened.

James : Good morning…

She ignored me and went straight into her room.

Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting a hug.

10.30am

I texted Stephanie if she wanted breakfast but she did not reply my message either.

Come noon that Tuesday afternoon, a series of unfortunate events started happening.

First was Uncle Bobby.

12.15pm

I was about to head out for lunch but decided to drop off a batch of components with Uncle Bobby first.

When he came to pick them up, he asked if Stephanie was around.

James : Oh… hold on, I’ll get her.

I did not think much of it seriously, I assumed it was time he collected money for his invoice or something.

I knocked on Stephanie’s door and told her Uncle Bobby is looking for her.

She came out a few seconds later and greeted him with a smile.

Then the situation became awkward.

Uncle Bobby : Errr…. Stephnanie… I err…. My health….. I not getting any better…. So….errr…. I think……you would need to find someone else…. To help you…

His eyes shifted left and right and he found it hard to look at Stephanie when she spoke. His hands clutched nervously on his cap as he tried to cough up the words.

I was expecting Stephanie to say something, ask him what was wrong, what’s happening but she did not.

Instead she gave him a smile and just nodded her head in an understanding manner, her palms raised up gently , signally that it’s ok and that he did not need to continued.

There was an instant look of relief in his eyes as his shoulders slouched and the unmistakable look of guilt took over.

Stephanie : It’s ok…. I understand.

Uncle Bobby gave a slight bow and immediately left the office.

When Stephanie turned around, she walked right pass me and back into the office.

1pm

I bought food for Stephanie and texted her I left it in the pantry. I knew she did not want to see me so I took the opportunity to go to the bank.

2.30pm

When I got back, I saw the food was finished alright and I fought back a smile.

Stephanie had chosen to eat on my work desk, leaving the bones, the wrapper and basically everything left unwrapped where it was. It was as if she was waiting for the cleaner to come clean up after her.

I tidied up my desk and made her a coffee, but before I could bring it in to her, our doorbell rang.

It was an old man in his sixties.

James: Yes….??

Oldman : I’m the landlord…. Can I talk to Stephanie ?

There was no need for me to call her out as her door opened and she came out.

5 minutes later, she was informed that she was unable to continue with her lease once it’s up in June.

The landlord said his grandson wanted to start his own business, he needed a good location and so on and so forth.

I shook my head as Stephanie sent him off with a smile.

Uncle Bobby’s lie sounded so much better.

3.20pm

Stephanie came out and passed me her phone before walking off. It was ringing at every 5 minutes interval.

They were various suppliers and they were asking for money.

I answered almost all of them, and I even recognised some as people I had spoken with during my course of work.

James : Ehhh… Cindy…. My cheque to you always on time one leh…. Why suddenly so funny ask for money now ??James : Alex…. Its me la …. James…. Stephanie in a meeting…. Ya…. Ya…..wah lau…. I got send you late before meh…. Only a few hundred….

James : Qiwen…. James la… you today never take medicine ah……..75 dollar invoice you call and chase me….I only just opened your invoice leh……Singpost date only stamped 3 days ago….

4.30pm

The ringing died down a little and I was beginning to get a taste of what was happening.

I decided it was enough and I went right up to Stephanie who was staring blankly into space in her room.

James : What is going on ??

She looked at me and I could see she was considering whether to even bother talking to me.

James : Stephanie please…. Don’t do this…

She was wearing a grey singlet and jeans that day. I could see her exposed bra straps since she had her jacket off.

She did not even bother putting on makeups that day.

She shook her head at me and said it was nothing.

5.45pm

Stephanie came out and said it’s Friday, time for company dinner and drinks.

We left office early and settled down at the pub where we first had drinks.

Neither of us spoke much and I could tell she was feeling really moody.

8pm

I was sipping my beer when the staff came back and said Stephanie’s credit card has been declined.

She looked shocked and for the first time that day she looked like she was about to erupt.

She emptied out all the cards, 5 in all to the staff. Thankfully it was someone we chatted regularly with and she knows were regulars.

Stephanie asked her for a favour to try 4 cards first before using the last one.

James : Is everything ok ??

Stephanie drained her beer and took in a deep breathe , trying to calm herself down.

5 minutes later when the staff came out, she confirmed that only the last one worked.

I found out from Stephanie that the first 4 were from Victor and also the company’s card.

The last was her own.

I could see she was fighting back her tears as she stood up and walk back towards her place.

I fell in step beside her and asked if she was ok.

James : Are you ok ?? …

Stephanie : It’s Victor…. He’s cutting me off…

James : What ? Why ?

She went on to tell me that he wanted her to promise she would not make any rash decisions but she refused.

Victor wanted Stephanie to stay while he sort things out but she argued that she knows how that would end.

She quoted the example of him and Ruhui and Victor lost his temper.

8.30pm

As we approached Stephanie’s place she suddenly hit my head so hard that I almost bent over and fell onto the ground.

Stephanie : It’s ALL YOUR FAULT !!!!

I had a shock at her outburst and I quickly dragged her into the lift.

Stephanie : I would be far away from this place by now if not for you !!!!!!!!

She looked really angry and I resigned myself to a good 15 minutes of cursing and some light kicking as I closed the door behind us.

9.15pm

Stephanie’s phone buzzed and when she saw the message, she kicked up another big fuzz, throwing cushion covers, kicking her heels and shoes and even the fly swatter bat at me.

I took the phone and read the message from Victor.

Victor : Family Dinner at ah gong’s place tomorrow at 6pm

James : What’s wrong ?? It’s just dinner with your grandparents….

Stephanie screamed again, kicking wildly before she collapsed into a heap on her messy sofa.

Stephanie : Haven you realised by now I have a dysfunctional family….???/ We don’t sit down for dinner…..

James : Huh?? What do you mean ??? What’s so difficult about having a dinner ?

Stephanie massaged her head and told me that the family sits only if they are about to make a major decision.

She did not look like she was in the mood to talk much so I took the chance to excuse myself.

James : err… ok… you rest early…. I see you next week….

Right before I left the house Stephanie shouted for me to stop.

Stephanie : WAIT !!!

James : What ??

She stared at me, starting from the top of my head to the toes on my feet.

Stephanie : You’re coming with me…

James : What? No way…

She immediately went into her study and took out a note pad and started scribbling some stuff down.

Every few seconds she paused to think before she scribbled some more.

3 minutes later, she passed me the notepad and made me memorise it.

Stephanie : Your name is Ryan…. You are a doctor…. Your parents are lawyers….

James : What the fuck ??? That’s not true…

Stephanie : shut up… you owe me this much… do it…

I wanted to protest but she kept reassuring me that it’s just bluffing an old man, making him happy over dinner. What was so hard about that ?

As irritated as I was, I went along with it especially after Stephanie kept reminding me I betrayed her and gave her passport to her brother.

Stephanie ; You’re my boyfriend tomorrow…you went to university in Melbourne….

James: I’ve never even been to Melbourne….

Stephanie : Shut up !!... Memorise it !!..

There were so many points to remember and Stephanie kept drilling each one into me.

Stephanie : Where did we meet ? quick ….

James : Wedding dinner…. At Ritz carlton…. I was the bestman… you’re the bridesmaid….

Stephanie : good…. Where did I go to school ?

I rattled off all her school from primary to university and she gave me a thumbs up.

James : Then all is good….. I don’t see how anyone can be as bad as her….

Stephanie smiled.

Stephanie : Tell me that…. After you meet my grandfather…...................................We kept our fingers entwined together for a while longer before Stephanie got up, as she pulled me into her room, my heart was thumping.

This is it.

The moment I had been waiting for.

It’s happening.

I could not hide the gleeful look on my face as I looked at Stephanie’s bed once I stepped in.

The light grey bedsheets and blanket were neatly folded, almost like I had just stepped into a new hotel room.

She had some clothes on the bed, shorts, a t-shirt and a scarf. They were mostly crumpled up. Right beside it was another stack of neatly folded clothes meant for the drawers.

My eyes instantly went to this small pile of undies. The pastel colour stacked in between the regular white and blacks look like some boutique rainbow cakes. The topping, the very piece right on top of the undies pile was a black g-string with a pink lace trimming.

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva as Stephanie opened her wardrobe.

James : Are you … changing into some Victoria secrets or something ?.... don’t need la….

She laughed and replied as if we were just having a normal conversation.

Stephanie : I’m not sleeping with you James… haha….

James : But you are my girlfriend….

Stephanie : So ??

She turned and rose an eyebrow at me before smiling and looking away.

She pulled out a few dresses and grabbed me over.

Stephanie : Ok… be serious…

She started to give me a brief of the family dinner the next day. According to her, it’s going to fucking awful, like all the family dinners she has attended.

Stephanie : Be prepared to be shouted at, hear vulgarities flying around and ermmm….anyway… you get the point.

She summarised it up as a group of people who did not like each other, yet had to pretended they were close sitting down for dinner.

James : That sounds really crappy..

Stephanie : Yeah…. Well….. I’m sure you’ll do fine…

She went on to say that even what we chose to wear might be the target of criticism.

Stephanie : Too formal…. You’ll look like a dick…. Too casual, they’ll crucify you for not respecting the dinner….. so it’s got to be a right balance.

James : Ok… I’ll go in berms and slippers…

Stephanie : TSK !

She hit me in my stomach and we spent the next 30 minutes discussing what to wear. She wanted to make sure our clothes complement each other.

James : Can we just buy a couple T from the shop or something ?

I randomly opened a drawer and struck gold as I looked at all her nightie and lingerie.

James : Can I choose something from here instead ?

I could feel an erection building up as the sensual colours of her inner wear called out to me. I could almost imagine myself feeling the materials, running my hands through the soft silky satin

She gave me stare that made me shut up immediately.

In the end, she made the decision to wear a off shoulder black dress. It tapered nicely to her body, showing off the curves and a simple pair of dark grey heels propped her up and gave her the height she wanted.

She even put on this large hat with a black feather before turning backwards to look at me through her left shoulder with pouty mouth look.

James : Are we attending a funeral ??

Stephanie : Yes….. I have a feeling it’s going to be mine…

Despite my protest, she insisted in her choice of clothes and made me wear something to compliment hers.

We snuggled up on her bed for some youtube videos before I left at around 1am in the morning.

16 Feburary 2013

Saturday

1pm

Stephanie made me buy her lunch which I gladly did from the hawker center near her place and we ate lunch together.

We were both feeling the aftereffects of a new relationship. It was like a drug. We could not keep out hands off each other.

I don’t mean in a sleazy way, it’s just that craving to hold each other’s hands.

To have our shoulders touch each other.

To sit beside each other.

We took pleasure even just staring at each other.

By 4pm, we started getting ready for the dinner and Stephanie went through the guest she was expecting at the dinner later.

Stephanie : Keep your mouth shut….don’t speak at all if possible…. I have sat through entire dinners without the need to open my mouth.

She said she was on the phone with Victor earlier in the day and that he would do most of the talking.

5pm

We left her place and I took the wheel, driving towards her grandfather’s place near Raffles town club.

Pulling into a quiet road, Stephanie directed me on a series of turns before we arrived in front of a large wrought iron gate.

The gate is massive. 2 cars can comfortably pass through it with room to spare.

The gate itself if an intricate fabric of art woven by craftsmen from a long time ago. You could tell time has weathered it down, it was repainted several times, some peeling parts exposed the older paint job below.

The only hint of anything modern was the hydraulic arm that opened and closed the gate together with the cameras mounted on the gate post on both sides.

Like the opening sequence of a haunted movie, the massive gate swung open and I entered the compound.

The was a slight gradient as I depressed the accelerator and went up the slope before I need to immediately make a left turn into this open tarmac.

It was like the size of a street soccer court, several cars were already parked and I could see Victor’s car right at the corner.

The moment I pulled in, Victor’s car opened and I could see Shawn giving me and Stephanie a questioning look as he pointed to our car.

I shrugged my shoulders and pointed to Stephanie who walked off in a lady like manner towards the foyer of the house.

I caught up with her as we pass a long row of hedges.

An indian man stared at us as we walked along the small garden path.

Stephanie : Hi Muthu.

He nodded with a smile at Stephanie before staring at me. He had only one arm, just the way Stephanie described to me long ago.

Tall, well built and definitely fit, his white grubby and torn t-shirt had holes and bits of grass in them.

A long army pants, the old camouflage pattern and boots was what he wore. He had an array of tools on a wheel barrow beside him but what drew my eye was the foot long parang he had strapped on his belt.

James : Wah… your gardener looks fierce. …

Stephanie laughed and said he’s a nice man, last time always play with Victor and her when they were young.

James : How did he lose the arm ?

Stephanie : Gang fight in the 80s.I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and fell in step beside Stephanie as we stepped into the foyer where Victor was talking to TJ .

They looked surprised to see me and Victor immediately asked what was I doing there.

Stephanie : He’s my boyfriend.

None of them reacted in any way and I don’t know if they even took what Stephanie said seriously.

Victor : Stephanie… look…. It’s not going to help if you bring a boyfriend… this is bigger than this…

He turned to me next, looking almost apologetic. In fact I detected a hint of sympathy when he spoke.

The pressure I was feeling was intense. I don’t know how to describe it.

Stephanie’s dad Tim arrived with another man.

Stephanie : Uncle Calvin….

I nodded as I sipped my drink.

Even the weather was a reflection of the mood on the ground when I saw the dark clouds on the overcast skies.

5.45pm

It started drizzling and the different pockets of people who were out on the foyer went into the house.

There was no grand table with sets of cutleries. No opulent looking candle stands with intricate table cloth or servers in suit.

The dining hall looked like any average room. The furniture were old, none of the chairs matched although they all had backrest.

Food wise, it was like any regular fair a normal Singaporean household would cook. Eggs, vegetables, meat, fish etc.

The only difference was perhaps the variety.

There were close to 10 dishes on the table alone not including 2 giant steamed pomfret.

I counted 2 maids and I saw a old lady directing them around.

Stephanie : She’s the housekeeper….. Annie… only ah gong calls her by her name…. The rest of us call her Ah yee….

She told me that Ah yee was from China, the same province her grandfather came from and she had been working for him ever since.

Ah Yee looked to be in her mid to late 60s but she was nimble in her movements and moved around like an agile quiet ninja, going about her own task.

Her eyes were observant and as she danced around the different pockets of people, I was sure she kept her ears opened, listening and picking up pockets of information.

I was a little intimidated when Ah Yee approached me and Stephanie.

Stephanie : Ah yee…. James is my boyfriend… can you set his seat also.

A curt nod was all she did before disappearing.

6.10pm

Ah yee got a maid to usher us to our seat.

Going clockwise around the table, first was Uncle Calvin, followed by Tim, the sibling’s father.

Next up was Victor, Stephanie was up next before I took my seat.

Jack sat down beside me before Ruhui and her Son.

The last seat before Ah-gong’s seat was left empty but there was also a set of cutleries.

TJ & Shawn settled themselves on a couch.

Jacklyn and Rex took some chairs by the window.

A couple more guys I don’t recognise stood by the entrance.

6.15pm

All heads turned towards a room as the door opened.

It was a 3 storey house, I would have expected to see Stephanie’s grandfather coming down the stairs like some movie star or something but instead, he appeared from his room on the ground floor.

He walked with a cane, leaning heavily on it for support. A man followed behind him, keeping an eye on every step.

Everyone waited for Ah gong, the patriarch of the family to take his seat at the round table. No one stood, everyone just pretended to be busy with something as Ah Gong took his time getting to his seat.

When he finally sat down and passed his cane to the man who walked behind him, he opened his mouth and I immediately had a taste of what was about to come.

Marcus : Why the FUCK!!!... am I having dinner with all of you ??

No one touched their utensils.

No one spoke either.

Marcus : Why ? Are you all dumb ??? You lost your voices ?? har ! ?? What the fuck ?

Marcus started off the dinner by grabbing what he wanted. Aside from his walking difficulty, he looked fine.

Marcus : I’ve fucking given all of your what you wanted on a FUCKING PLATE!!.... what can’t you leave me alone… You want me to take them all away ??? Is that what this is about ???

Tim started talking first.

Tim : Pa… we have something to discuss….it’s about… Stephanie…I could see Stephanie clenched her fist as she looked at her bowl of untouched rice.

Tim : It’s time she settled down and help out in the company….and… I could not think of a better match for her than Ruhui’s brother…

Ah Gong did not react. He continued with his dinner.

Tim : Pa… at the same time…we’re discussing a capital injection for our expansion into Sri Lanka with…..

SMACK! …

Marcus threw his chopstick right into the middle of the dishes, startling everyone except Ruhui’s son who was glued to his ipad.

A chopstick went into the soup bowl while another punctured a slab of tofu.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin and turned to Tim.

Marcus : How much ?

Tim : I’m sorry … what how much ?

Marcus pointed to Ruhui without looking at her.

Marcus : How much did she pay you to sell your daughter ?

Ruhui cut in before Tim could reply.

Ruhui : Ah gong…how…

Marcus : Shut the fuck up Ruhui…

I could see Ruhui clenching down on her teeth as she took a deep breath.

Marcus continued looking at Tim and added.

Marcus : Tell your son to put that thing away…. Or to fuck off from this table…

Ruhui pulled off the headphones from her son’s ears and took the ipad away as he protested loudly but calmed down almost immediately when he realised everyone staring at him.

Tim : Pa look….there is only so much Singapore can…

Marcus : You sold your son….. now your daughter too ?? for how much ??

Tim : Pa….listen…

Marcus : Just answer my fucking question…

Tim lost his temper and raised his voice.

Tim : Can you quit this fucking attitude….. do you know how hard it is to talk to you these days ? !

As if the tension was not bad enough, that took things up a notch.

Marcus : Then don’t…. why the fuck is everyone here ??? HAR!!

He went on a tirade, shouting and cursing at Tim and Calvin, saying that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. That they would never know what was it like to fight for survival, to work their guts out.

Marcus : I had nothing !!!...i built the company up from scratch !! … nothing ever gave me anything !!!!

He took a deep breath.

Marcus : Everyone of you here….are where you are because you were born into it….so tell me….. why the fuck….are you here…

He started looking around the table.

Marcus : Why are you here ? HAR!

He pointed at me…

Marcus : What about you ??! why ?

I kept quiet.

His finger went to Jack next.

Marcus : What about you?? Why ?

The silence in the dining room was deafening.

Victor : Ah gong…. Stephanie is…

Marcus ; Shut up Victor…. I know what you and your sister did with your mother…..

For the first time, I saw Victor backed down and just sipped his tea.

Tim : You know what…I’m just telling you this out of respect….

Marcus : Fuck you and your respect…Tim…

Tim : Well fuck you too…

Tim gestured to everyone around the table and made the announcement as if it was final

Tim : Stephanie is marrying Matthew…. This is the announcement we wanted to do… there… fuck…. I’ve said it….

Stephanie : I’m not marrying Matthew…

Tim : You have not earn the rights to speak at this table…

Tim went on to say that perhaps one day when she starts managing the company and prove herself, she can come back and say what she wants to say.

Stephanie slammed down on the table and screamed at her father.

Stephanie : You cannot force me …

Tim : We’ll see about that..

Marcus suddenly pointed at Jack .

Marcus : Who are you !...

Jack : Errr… I’m…er… Stephanie’s ex-boyfriend and… Jeff’s tuition teacher.. I have a successful company with a few branches and I tutor a lot of top………..

Marcus just glared at him before his eyes locked gaze at me.

Marcus : Shut the fuck up Jack…….and you… Who are you again ?

His finger was pointed straight at me.

Stephanie answered immediately.

Stephanie : He’s my boyfriend…

I could heard Ruhui snigger and Jack shook his head in a condescending manner.

Marcus : Does your boyfriend comes with a set of balls ??? Can he answer himself ?? can he talk ??? HAR ?? I haven heard him say anything…

Marcus : What’s your name ?? HAR ? What do you do ?? What does your parents do ?? What gives you the right to be at this table ??

He looked at me, his eyes burning a path straight into my retina.

As angry as I was, I found it amusing. The questions Stephanie prepared me for actually came out.

I wanted to smile in fact but I held it in.

Everyone at the table turned and looked at me.

I could feel Victor saying sorry with his eyes as if he was trying to say there was nothing he could do.

TJ was looking at me, no doubt trying to communicate with me via telepathy asking me to hold it in.

I stood up and removed Ah gong’s utensils from the dishes without a word.

James : My name is James….i work for your granddaughter…….

I could see Victor covering his face with his palms as I continued.

James : My parents are hawkers…..and I never had anything handed to me on a plate either…

Marcus glared at me as I continued.

Using the common serving spoon, I took a serving of fish and put it on my side dish.

As I pushed my chair apart, nothing could describe the look of horror on Stephanie and Victor’s face as I walked towards Ah Gong.

Placing the plate of fish in front of him I added.

James : There…. I’m glad I’m the first to hand you something on a plate…

I went back to my seat as Stephanie stared at me with her mouth half opened.

Victor looked like he was about to puke.

I could see TJ’s eyes wide open as Shawn tapped him on his arm.

James : Ah gong… 吃饭 ( Have dinner )

No one moved but I don’t care.

I reached for a piece of chicken and placed it on Stephanie’s plate.

James : You want some soup ?

I looked at Stephanie as she shook her head slightly, too shock to do anything else.

Ah gong exhaled a deep breath and Ah Yee appeared with a new pair of chopsticks magically out of nowhere.

As he took the chopstick and bit into the fish I got him, everyone tucked into the food without a word.

No one spoke throughout dinner.

7pm

Ruhui,Victor, Tim , Calvin and Ah gong disappeared into his study.

7.30pm

Victor stormed out of the office and slammed the door. As he stormed out of the house, TJ and Shawn followed.

I knew I needed to shift the car and I told Stephanie I would be right back.

I moved the car out of the spot and Shawn gave me a thumbs up.

They left without a word and as I walked back into the house, Ruhui came out in a huff, looking visibly upset.

7.45pm

Tim and Calvin left the room and Stephanie was summoned

Stephanie entered Ah gong’s room.

8pm

When she came out, she refused to say a word and just kept saying she wanted to leave.

I immediately drove her back home.

The moment she closed the door, I watched as Stephanie’s lips trembled before her legs gave way.

I immediately hugged onto her as she started crying into my chest.

James : What happened Stephanie ?? What’s wrong…

She just cried.

She tried talking but she can’t.

She just cried.

When she mustered up enough strength to speak, my heart felt as if someone had just stabbed me with a knife.

Stephanie : He said yes…..

Stephanie : Ah gong ………….wants me…… to marry Matthew….

__________________

I could not believe what I just heard but I tried to calm Stephanie down. I needed to get the whole picture.

What happened inside the room ?

What was said ?

Why did everyone stormed out looking so upset ?

I mean at the very least, if Ah Gong wanted Stephanie to marry Matthew, should Ruhui at least walk out looking like some smug bitch since that was what she wanted ?

Why did she look the way she looked when she left ?

9.00pm

I forgot how many times Stephanie broke down within a short span of time, she cried, got mad, even tried to grab the knife from the kitchen but I held onto her.

9.25pm

Stephanie was still in her dress and curled up under my arms.

The sobbing were dying off.

9.30pm

Stephanie started to relate what happened to me by saying no one believed I was her boyfriend.

Stephanie : Ah gong asked me to invest in a better actor… ..

She went quiet for a while before going on.

Stephanie : Here’s the deal…

As she spoke I could feel the hair on my back stand on it’s end. I could not believe in this day and age, such things are happening in Singapore. How is it ever possible to force someone to do things against their will ?

Stephanie : Ah gong’s chips…. Is his estate, his money and his will..

She said that her grandfather do not recognise Ruhui’s child from her first marriage as his great grandson.

Stephanie : They hated each other so much….i don’t believe they ever touch each other before…. still…. It’s that or he leaves everything to me, the entire estate. ……..However, if Ruhui bears Victor’s child, Marcus would start splitting his estate among the 2 of them even before his death.

I closed my eyes and tried to make sense of everything.

James : Wait…. Wait … wait….. this is confusing… what has this got to do with you marrying Matthew ?

Stephanie exhaled and continued.

Stephanie : If I were to marry Matthew, and I was to bear his child…. His estate gets split between Matthew and me. …… If Both Ruhui and I gets pregnant, it splits 4 ways.

I waved my hands in the air, trying to stop all other thoughts that was messing up my comprehending ability.

James : 1) Victor fucks Ruhui….she gets pregnant… they strike lottery…2) If Victor and Ruhui doesn’t do it, you strike lottery. …3) If you get pregnant with Matthew’s child…. You and Matthew strike lottery.

Stephanie added 1 more line to my theory.

Stephanie : Marcus has to die before I get anything if it’s just me, whereas for the other options, everyone gets something once we fulfil his wishes.

I clapped my hands in the air.

James : SOLVED !..

I stood up and raised my hand in the air.

James : Don’t do anything !!! See….

I could already see Stephanie rolling her eyes at me.

James : Elementary my dear Watson. …… Victor hates Ruhui, he won’t fuck her…. No baby….. you win… just don’t marry Matthew….!!! You still get everything !!! just play the waiting game.

When I saw that Stephanie was not amused, I mellowed down and went back to her side upon realising I had missed out something important.

Why did Marcus want Stephanie to marry Matthew ?

Stephanie : Ah gong… is a very practical man…. All man in my family are the same….he knows Matthew…. What a fucker he is…he sleeps around like no tomorrow…

Marcus told Stephanie that marriage is but a contract….It was also a golden opportunity to get back at Ruhui.

That contract, can be easily broken.

In Marcus’s own words “ Imagine the damage you can do to Matthew, when you have his child…. And evidence of him cheating on you…..and let’s not forget…. He is the majority shareholder of Ruhui’s company…..even though he doesn’t do shit “

I could almost feel the cold and the chill as Stephanie told me what her grandfather said.

James : What if you married Matthew, but don’t bear his child ??

Stephanie threw a pillow at me and screamed

Stephanie : I DON’T WANT TO MARRY HIM!!!!

I tried to calm her down and after she did she continued.

Stephanie : No one gets anything unless they gets fucked……

She paused and wiped off her smudged makeup.

Stephanie : Ruhui is not stupid…. She must have anticipated this part of Ah gong’s plan….

James : Isn’t it better ? …. She cannot force you to marry Matthew now …. Isn’t it ?

Stephanie looked at me and what she said, changed my perspective.

Stephanie : Ah gong did it on purpose, he’s a shit stirring jerk !.... he did not want anyone to walk away from the table without taking his shit…

She exhaled and added she did not want any of the money or anything from his will.

Stephanie : I just want a normal life….

I could not believe the bind Marcus’s decision had put everyone in.

Ruhui is now stuck with the choice of having to bear Victor’s child or force her brother to marry Stephanie, which I’m pretty sure he will just so he can fuck her, and hope he doesn’t get caught cheating along the way.

There was no way she could keep her hands off the estate by not doing anything.

She had to do something.

She could either force herself to fuck Victor, which was definitely the easier way out since she could more or less be in control or prayed her brother Matthew could wise up. Then again, there was no telling if Victor would even want to fuck her.

I had barely digested that when Stephanie added another piece of news, completing the puzzle.

Stephanie : Ah gong wants Victor to concentrate on giving him a great grandchild…..Victor has taken long enough, he was made to take a break from work, it’s either that or he will get the board to strip him of his duties….. He can come back on 2 conditions. 1) if I chose to marry Matthew , thereby putting in motion Marcus’s plan 2) Victor fathers a child with Ruhui.

I sucked in a mouthful of air as I gasped at the gravity of the news.

Victor’s wings are clipped.

Stephanie : Calvin and Tim would always stand on Ruhui’s side because she has been lining their pocket for years…. Whatever decision she made, they would do anything to help her. They knew from the time the brokered Victor’s marriage that their reign is over.

James: so essentially, Marcus just fucked everyone…

Stephanie : I guess so…..

James : Wait…. Back to the earlier part, you mentioned Marcus plan to get back at Ruhui was banking heavily on you bearing Matthew’s child and on him cheating, but if that’s the case, why include Matthew’s share in his estate ?Stephanie : Including him is but a means to tempt him & Ruhui, Ultimately, Marcus wants 2 things, the family name to be carried on and to wack Ruhui’s family….. Ruhui on the other hand, will not take the risk of being cut out of the lottery by being in the game alone. She cannot take that risk.

I sat down on the floor and tried to wrap my mind around the whole thing.

Ruhui will not let Stephanie have everything, I tried to put myself in her shoes. What would I do if I was her ?

I tried to reason and think of it in a logical manner, keeping emotions aside.

What would I be thinking if I was Ruhui right now ?

I would stand the best chance if I voluntarily slept with Victor, get pregnant, and at the same time, get Matthew to marry Stephanie and somehow get her pregnant. That way, essentially, I would have half of the estate, provided my dumbshit brother don’t do anything stupid.

Even if either 1 fails, the other sibling is a backup, not to mention being able to screw up Stephanie’s life along the way by letting my brother fuck her all he wants.

One thing is for sure, if I don’t do anything, I lose.

And I don’t like to lose.

Next, what if I am Victor.

I hate Ruhui, I don’t want to touch her. So if I don’t do anything, I don’t gain anything, I won’t lose anything either, well maybe my job but with my experience and qualifications, there are no lack of opportunities in Singapore and beyond.

So I hold my position, my sister gets everything when Marcus dies, but with my wings clipped, what if Ruhui forces Matthew to marry her one way or the other ?

What about my mother in Malaysia ? Money, expenses, resources ?

Without position and power, there was nothing I could do but look on helplessly as a bystander to everything Ruhui does in the future.

The ideal scenario would be for Stephanie to get everything, she can be in a position of power but Ruhui would not let that happen.

It’s going to be hard for Stephanie to stand up to Ruhui on her own in the meantime. They don’t have the resources to go up against Ruhui.

There is no way Ruhui will sit back and allow Stephanie to get everything if by getting Matthew to marry and fuck her guarantees her family at least a share of the estate.

And for Stephanie , what if I was her ?

If I married Matthew, Victor’s position will be safe, our mother would be cared for, we would have money and resources to do what we want.

It does not solve anything but it buys everyone time.

Time. What everyone needed was time.

Even if I had everything, there was no way I can go up against the likes of Ruhui, I needed Victor.

Besides, Ruhui will never ever allow me to get it all.

What if I wanted to get back at Ruhui’s family, to really fuck them up ? By bearing Matthew’s child, which is not difficult since Matthew wanted to fuck me for the longest time, I could essentially have Matthew’s family by the balls.

We all know the powerful woman’s charter in Singapore.

Add money and power into the potent mixture, you would definitely make a hell of a bang.

Given the situation, it seemed like that was the only thing I can do for the family, and the company, playing right into Marcus’s game of wanting a shot at Ruhui’s family.

All these information flooded into my head like the water from a burst dam. Stephanie and I were quiet as we got lost in our own thoughts, no doubt trying to figure out what was the best course of action.

Does it matter to hit Ruhui where it hurts ?

So what if you have the inheritance ?

How much money can one possibly spend ?

I shook my head, finding it hard to reason it within my inner self.

Perhaps I’m just a normal Singaporean leading an average life. I would never understand.

I had this sudden cold chill run up my spine.

Given how stubborn everyone can get, there’s a real possibility that they would go all out.

You know the saying ‘hug together and die together ‘ ,(抱着一起死) yeah, something along that line. Since we’re all fucked, we’ll take as many as we can along with us.

I tried to find a parallel line of thought, something that would benefit all parties at least for the time being and I came to only one conclusion.

Stephanie had to marry Matthew.

It would give Victor what he needed to plan and work something out. With the marriage sealed, Ruhui knew Stephanie would not get everything, it will buy her some time.

Ruhui could either rape Victor or get Matthew to rape Stephanie.

And by agreeing to the marriage, Stephanie would essentially return her brother to power, ensures their mother stays safe and taken care off and buy more time for herself, aligning with Marcus’s interest.

She might get unexpected help along the way from Marcus as well.

And if she bears Matthew’s child, she gets a real shot at hurting Ruhui if it plays out according to Marcus’s plan. There was no doubt Matthew will continue to sleep around, with the resources at their disposal, it will not be hard to get evidence if he did.

Whether anyone gets fucked in the process no longer matters.

I collapsed onto a heap on the floor the same time Stephanie laid flat out on her bed.

I assumed we must have arrived at the same conclusion at around the same time.

I decided to ask Stephanie a question that was bugging me for the longest time.

Yes, you might be wondering about the empty seat beside Marcus at the table too.

James : Who’s the empty seat for ? Your grandmother?

Stephanie : Yup…. Marcus loved her very much, but she could not stand him any longer, not when he was mad in pursuit of money and power…. She is nice… kind and always has a smile on her face.

Stephanie suddenly stood up and pulled off her dress, leaving only her bra and undies on before heading to her dresser to wipe off her makeup.

Stephanie : I have not seen her since after my A levels. ….

James : Oh… I thought she passed away….that’s why the empty seat..

Stephanie : TSK!!!

She threw a used makeup remover napkin my way before turning back to the mirror.

I looked at her delicious and tight butt and despite feeling horny and all, I was not in the mood for sex. I don’t know why.

If I went over to grab them, I would probably get slapped by Stephanie.

She pulled off her fake eyelashes and said her grandmother left Marcus to go back to Hong kong where her family is.

James : So do you think we stand a chance if we can get her to talk to Marcus ?

Stephanie laughed and said it’s unlikely.

Stephanie : She did not even turn up for Victor’s wedding….. sent a card and red packet though….

James : It’s worth a shot… I mean…

Stephanie cut me off and said it’s not possible. There was no way she would want to come back.

Especially if she knew what Marcus had done to all of them.

Stephanie went to take a long shower and I just laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling10.45pm

Stephanie was dressed for bed and I asked if she wanted to rest.

She held onto my arm and rest on my shoulder.

Stephanie : I’m very tired James….. it just feels so stifling here….

I turned to look at her and she does looked drained.

If fact I could not imagine if I was in her shoes, being played and traded like some commodity.

11pm

James : Get changed…

Stephanie : Where are we going ?

James : My place…

Stephanie laughed.

Stephanie : What are we going to do there ?

James : Well…. You’re going to get raped…. I might as well be the first…

Stephanie : YAH!!!

My hair was yanked downwards and before I knew it, Stephanie was trying to stuff her used wet towel into my mouth as she held onto my hair. A few more seconds later, we were just laughing as I laid on her lap, looking up at her.

A stray drop of water from her freshly shampooed hair fell onto my face and she wiped it off for me.

Stephanie : Don’t cry James…

James : Hahaha…

She stroked my face and asked me if I was ok for the first time.

I considered my answer before answering her.

James : I’m not ok…..

James : I’m not ok with the woman I love marrying someone else…

Stephanie just smiled at me before pinching me on my nose for a few seconds.

Stephanie : See… your nose got longer…

That was went I directed her down south.

James : Not my nose…. Somewhere else got longer long time ago…

She laughed and pushed me off her lap and I watched her go to her wardrobe and pulled out some clothes.

A simple grey T-shirt, a pair of white denim shorts with frayed ends went on and she was ready to go.

We took a cab to my place in Hougang and got there before midnight.

I don’t know why but we were very quiet.

It felt as if I was sneaking my girlfriend back when I was a teenager.

My parents place is a simple old HDB unit on the ground floor facing a big canel. Beyond that, it’s all private housing served by a small road, Jalan Pelikat

They no longer build similar models like ours anymore. It’s a 2 storey dwelling with a backdoor in the kitchen.

We held hands all the time, from the cab ride all the way to my front door.

I knew my parents were asleep, they need to be up early to go to the market.

Why the sneaking then ? you’re not exactly 16.

I don’t know. I really don’t

Somehow there was this unexplained thrill as I quietly unlocked the gate.

Stephanie too seemed a little nervous but she was trying to hold back a giggle as she looked around.

When I came out of the shower 10 minutes later, Stephanie was lying belly up on my bed, her legs up in the air as she flipped through my old yearbook from school. Beside that were some albums of my army days, and of course, some pictures of my ex girlfriends.

She gestured with her index finger, beckoning me over.

Stephanie : Who is this ??? har ? How long have you been together ?

I took a look at a disinterested manner at the postcard a friend sent from Korea.

James: Oh… Tiffany… she’s in a girl group…quite famous…

She laughed and asked me how is she.

James ; Not bad… very sweet… lady like…. Don’t throw tantrums… dance very well you know…

She narrowed her eyes at me and pointed at Anne Hathaway’s picture that was stuck onto a notepad by my cousin.

James : Ahh… her…. I met her when I was fighting crimes….

Then I leaned really close and whispered to Stephanie

James : She’s cat woman…

Stephanie laughed and hit me on my arm.

I pushed all the stuff aside and she rolled over onto her back as I got into the bed with her.

When I saw her hands reach up for me, I straddled her and went down for a kiss.

Our lips met and our eyes closed, time seemed to slow down. Stephanie pulled me down beside her and I pulled a blanket up to cover our legs.

My right arm went down and under her neck, holding onto her right hand as I placed it on her chest and I kissed her again. Stephanie’s left hand went around my back, I could feel her palms on my lower back as my left palm settled on her left thigh.

I stroked her thigh, feeling the boundary of her flesh and her denim shorts every time i reached beyond.

My hand went higher up, stopping at the button of her shorts.

She just looked at me without a word.

I knew if I wanted to, she would not say no.

Stephanie kept still, just looking at me and I bent down for another kiss.

James : You ok ? … are you tired ??

She smiled and blinked once, nodding her head.

My hand left her shorts and I pulled the blanket all the way up to her chin before I hugged onto her from outside the blanket.

She smiled and snuggled up against me and her eyes closed.

We fell asleep after that with the lights on.

I woke up at 4am and switched it off.17th Feburary 2013

Sunday

7am

We were both woken up by a phone call. I answered it half asleep but my eyes immediately widened when I heard Victor’s voice.

James : Yes Victor ?

Upon hearing Victor’s name, Stephanie’s eyes opened as she struggled to sit up. Her hair was puffy and she brushed all of them sideways as she listened in to the conversation as I put him on speaker.

Victor : James…. I’m.eerr… sorry to disturb you this early… but I have a few things I need to tell you…

Victor first apologised for Marcus, saying it’s very embarrassing for me to see that side of his family.

Victor : It’s not a pretty sight, and…. Errr…. I’m sorry you had to be involved…. Anyway…. You shouldn’t have agreed to play Stephanie’s boyfriend…

James : It’s… it’s ok…. I’m just helping where I could.

Victor : Anyway…. Appreciate the help you gave Stephanie….. but er… I guess it’s not much use…. Marcus still wants Stephanie to marry Matthew…. Among other shit he has on his mind….

I could feel a rock churning in my stomach as I listened to Victor’s statement, although it was something I already knew but I just kept quiet.

James : Oh…

Victor next told me something that took me by surprise. He said he’s going to be off work for a while, taking a sabbatical of sorts.

He asked me to take a few days off and not head back to the office while he gets things in order..

Victor : Wait for my instructions ya…. Actually I was about to bring you over to the events team I talked about in a couple of months, the other person is already serving his notice, anyway….. let me sort things out first.

James : Ok… sure. ..

Before he hung up, he asked me how was Stephanie.

I turned to look at her and she shook her head slightly, telling me all I wanted to know.

James : Ermm… she was quite upset, didn’t really talk much. I just dropped her off and I came back home.

Victor : Ok…ermm…. Things are getting a little complicated now…. I’ll speak to you again soon…

After hanging up , I answered a few of Stephanie’s question and within minutes, her phone rang. It was Victor.

She hit the speaker button but kept quiet.

Victor : Stephanie……I’ve been thinking about this the whole night….there’s really not much we can do except buy ourselves a bit of time…

I could feel the fury inside Stephanie rising even though we had pretty much come to the same conclusion.

Victor’s next sentence was like a sharpened dagger, cutting slowly through Stephanie’s flesh and I could see tears welling up in her eyes.

Victor : You….. have to marry Matthew…

Stephanie sniffed audibly but she still kept her silence.

Victor too, was quiet for a good 10 seconds.

Victor : I….err…… I was with Ruhui earlier….. we tried to work something out…. But we ended up screaming at each other…

I placed my hand on Stephanie’s thigh and gave her a squeeze.

Victor : Give me some time….at least agree to it for now…I’ll think of a way out…

That was when Stephanie could not take it any longer and she told Victor no.

Stephanie : No…. I won’t marry him… … give me back my passport…

Victor : Stephanie…. Listen…there is a whole lot more at stake here…

Stephanie : I don’t care …..

Victor : What about ma ? ….. It’s close to 5k a month for her alone…. Lodging… medicine…the treatments….the people to care for her….

Silence took over again

Victor : I can sell everything… everything… the house, the car…all the useless watches….. then what ? How long can we last ? ….Ruhui tries anything… that’s it…. We’re done….

Stephanie : I could run…leave this place… I’ll give you everything… everything Ah gong gives me… I’ll give them all to you to manage… sob… sob….

I could hear him sighing on the end of the phone as Stephanie sobbed opening over the speaker.

Victor : Marcus has to die…. Before you even get anything….he’s fit as a fiddle…

Victor : Don’t cry Stephanie…. I’ll think of something….if it really comes to that…. I did the sums… we can last at least a year or 2 with mother in Malaysia….

Stephanie just sobbed and asked for her passport again.

Stephanie : It’s me…. Once I’m gone… all this will go away…

Victor : I know why Ah Gong wants you to marry Matthew…. It’s his only way to hit back at Ruhui….He will not let you leave… I can’t let you leave.…. I’m sorry…

Stephanie ended the call.

The mood in the room sucks big time.

As if that was not bad enough, Ruhui’s name showed up on the Stephanie’s phone. What surprised me more was that she actually answered it. The moment the speaker came on, Ruhui’s voice sounded tired as she went straight to the point.

Be an Angel ( On Hold for now )

This is a section dedicated to those who would like to make a small difference.

There are many local charities that accepts paypal donations.

If you are interested to join our little group, drop me a email at ilikeock@gmail.com with the subject title ' Angel'

I set aside a portion of the blog's taking for donations.

Depending on what is the volume for the month, it's usually between the range of 30-80.

Not a lot, but it's the thought that counts.

I will send all Angels in the group what James did at the end of every month.

Match it dollar for dollar to a charity of your choice and you can have all the ebooks you want.

Just tell me which one.

If you are thick skin enough, ask for everything. i would.

Copies of latest works will be sent automatically to all active angels.

**note to self** Why did i call myself James instead of Charlie ? damm...

PS : don't pay me anything. do the transaction on your end. get the tax deduction too if you wish. Just a simple screenshot would suffice.

Maybe one day, an anonymous army of James' angels, might actually save the world.

(updates 12/04/17)

Thank you for all who volunteered. I have a total of 10 Angels at the moment. I never expect to have this many. Shall put new membership into the program on hold for a couple of months to evaluate how things goes.

It's getting a little hard to manage the correspondence with 10 as it is. haha. Please give me some time to reply all the mail.

Orientation to the new facility part 1- SGD 2.49 ( PS: If you have followed the platform or bought something from the platform before 10/8/17, you would have already receive this FOC in your mailbox. Please check )